Exciting developments in Mudgee Chardonnay

Chardonnay is being reinvented in Mudgee with a small band of winemakers leading the way. David Lowe has recently released one such wine, 2010 Louee Nullo Mountain Chardonnay ($25), an early picked wine that has an alcohol level of only 10.5%.

The new Louee Chardonnay was made from grapes grown on Mudgee’s highest vineyard at Rylstone’s Nullo Mountain situated at an impressive elevation of 1100 metres.

This new wine forms part of the new wave of Chardonnays currently being made in Mudgee by a leading group of like-minded, innovative winemakers.

“Chardonnay has huge potential in Mudgee,” commented winemaker and owner David Lowe. “What we’re doing is continuing our investigation of lower alcohol wines in a subtle frame, much the way French Chablis provides brightness in a tight frame.”

“This stems from my commitment to get the most out of our Nullo Mountain site, plus my continual engagement with customers whom I meet at my cellar door every weekend who are 100 percent behind my initiative.”

“This particular wine was made from grapes that were harvested earlier than usual. The natural acidity is quite high, and the alcohol low, however there is a great depth of flavour from the pristine fruit.”

“The key is to use the correct sites and clones to ensure that you produce a wine that shows the terroir and not just a featureless expression of the variety.”

“The wines from the Nullo Mountain vineyard have all proven to have great longevity and we wanted to continue with this in this Louee Chardonnay.”

The grapes for this new wine were whole bunch pressed in the Lowe winery in Mudgee. Malolatic fermentation followed in order to soft the high natural acidity in the wine. The fermentation was finished in two French hogsheads, followed by another four months oak maturation.

“There’s only a very limited quantity of this wine,” explained David. “However we believe that it is important to share what is happening in the region; the collaboration, innovation and sense of purpose and direction.”

“Chardonnay has a strong history in Mudgee. Some of the clones planted in the region are believed to be descendants of the original Busby clone that was introduced into Australia in 1832 by James Busby,” said Lowe.

Distribution and Pricing:
2010 Louee Nullo Mountain Chardonnay is distributed by Lowe Wine and retails for $25.00. The wines are also available on line at www.lowewine.com.au

For more information, samples and images please contact:

David Cumming at Define Wine:
+61 414 736 342 or
david@definewine.com.au

David Lowe at Lowe Wine:
+61 2 6372 0800 or
david@lowewine.com.au

Lowe Wine celebrates its 10th vintage in Mudgee in 2011. The business comprises the Lowe, Tinja and Louee brands, with the winery and Lowe vineyards gaining organic accreditation 2004. David Lowe is a high profile proponent of NSW regional wines and a key advocate in re-establishing NSW wines as the wines of choice with consumers in Australia. David is also a leading advocate of organic winemaking, sustainable farming and regionalism, with a focus on the Mudgee and the Central Ranges.